Tamper-proof chemical dispensing device for high security environments

ABSTRACT

The present invention can be characterized as a tamper proof apparatus for dispensing a selected liquid such as a cleaning product in a environment where protection against abuse and vandalism is desired. The tamper proof apparatus includes a cabinet enclosure having an open front for accessing interior components; a hinged faceplate covering the open front of the cabinet enclosure; a mixing unit fastened to an inside surface of the hinged faceplate for dispensing the selected liquid; a filling recess formed in the hinged faceplate for limiting a dimension of a container placed inside the filling recess; a filling nozzle coupled to the mixing unit for dispensing the selected liquid into the container placed inside the filling recess; a pushbutton coupled to the mixing unit through the hinged faceplate for causing the selected liquid to be dispensed through the filling nozzle; and a locking plate that may be detachably coupled to the hinged faceplate for restricting access to the pushbutton individually.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent document is a continuation of and claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/121,303 forTAMPER-PROOF CHEMICAL DISPENSING DEVICE FOR HIGH SECURITY ENVIRONMENTS,filed Apr. 11, 2002, by Mark Wertheim, which is a continuation-in-partof and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/828,554, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,272, for TAMPER-PROOFCHEMICAL DISPENSING DEVICE FOR HIGH SECURITY ENVIRONMENTS, filed Apr. 5,2001, by Mark Wertheim, which is a nonprovisional of and claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/262,733 for TAMPER-PROOF CHEMICAL DISPENSING DEVICE FOR HIGH SECURITYENVIRONMENTS, filed Jan. 19, 2001, by Mark Wertheim; to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/194,811 for TAMPER-PROOF CHEMICAL DISPENSINGDEVICE FOR HIGH SECURITY ENVIRONMENTS, filed Apr. 5, 2000, by MarkWertheim.

[0002] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/121,303 for TAMPER-PROOFCHEMICAL DISPENSING DEVICE FOR HIGH SECURITY ENVIRONMENTS, filed Apr.11, 2002, by Mark Wertheim, is also a continuation-in-part of and claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/922,963, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,467, for TAMPER-PROOF CHEMICALDISPENSING DEVICE FOR HIGH SECURITY ENVIRONMENTS, filed Aug. 3, 2001, byMark Wertheim, which is a nonprovisional of and claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/262,733for TAMPER-PROOF CHEMICAL DISPENSING DEVICE FOR HIGH SECURITYENVIRONMENTS, filed Jan. 19, 2001, by Mark Wertheim.

[0003] This patent document relates to and expressly incorporates byreference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/638,035 for TAMPER-PROOFCHEMICAL DISPENSING DEVICE FOR HIGH SECURITY ENVIRONMENTS, filed Aug. 8,2003, by Mark Wertheim; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/194,811 for TAMPER-PROOF CHEMICAL DISPENSING DEVICE FOR HIGH SECURITYENVIRONMENTS, filed Apr. 5, 2000, by Mark Wertheim; U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/262,733 for TAMPER-PROOF CHEMICAL DISPENSINGDEVICE FOR HIGH SECURITY ENVIRONMENTS, filed Jan. 19, 2001, by MarkWertheim; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/828,554 for TAMPER-PROOFCHEMICAL DISPENSING DEVICE FOR HIGH SECURITY ENVIRONMENTS, filed Apr. 5,2001, by Mark Wertheim; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/922,963 forTAMPER-PROOF CHEMICAL DISPENSING DEVICE FOR HIGH SECURITY ENVIRONMENTS,filed Aug. 3, 2001, by Mark Wertheim; U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/216,017 for TAMPER-PROOF CHEMICAL DISPENSING DEVICE FOR HIGH SECURITYENVIRONMENTS, filed Aug. 9, 2002, by Mark Wertheim; and to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/121,303 for TAMPER-PROOF CHEMICAL DISPENSINGDEVICE FOR HIGH SECURITY ENVIRONMENTS, filed Apr. 11, 2002, by MarkWertheim.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus fordispensing liquids. More specifically, but without limitation thereto,the present invention is directed to dispensing cleaning products from atamper proof container suitable for use in a jail, a correctionalfacility, a school, a public facility, or any other location where anapparatus for dispensing liquids may be subject to abuse and vandalism.

[0005] Liquid and soap dispensers have been used for many years. Thesedispensers are used in a number of applications, including: soapdispensers in restrooms, beverage dispensers, liquid dispensers at gasstations, etc. However, these devices are limited in their ability toprevent dispensing potentially dangerous and expensive liquids tounauthorized personnel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one embodiment, the present invention may be characterized asa tamper proof liquid dispenser that includes a cabinet enclosure havingan open front for accessing interior components; a hinged faceplatecovering the open front of the cabinet enclosure; a mixing unit fastenedto an inside surface of the hinged faceplate for dispensing the selectedliquid; a filling recess formed in the hinged faceplate for limiting adimension of a container placed inside the filling recess; a fillingnozzle coupled to the mixing unit for dispensing the selected liquidinto the container placed inside the filling recess; a pushbuttoncoupled to the mixing unit through the hinged faceplate for causing theselected liquid to be dispensed through the filling nozzle; and alocking plate that may be detachably coupled to the hinged faceplate forrestricting access to the pushbutton individually.

[0007] In another embodiment, the present invention may be characterizedas a tamper proof liquid dispenser that is mounted on a wall to allowlimited clearance for dispensing liquid into a container placedunderneath, such as a mop bucket, while preventing filling of a largercontainer such as a garbage can.

[0008] In a further embodiment, the present invention may becharacterized as a tamper proof liquid dispenser that includes a triplebasin sink mounted underneath a tamper proof apparatus for dispensing afirst liquid mixture, such as a soap mixture, into a first basin and asecond liquid mixture, such as a sterilizer mixture, into a third basinof the triple basin sink.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and notlimitation in the accompanying figures, in which like referencesindicate similar elements throughout the several views of the drawings,and in which:

[0010]FIG. 1 illustrates a tamper proof liquid dispenser for use withsoap and other cleaning products including chemical liquids according toan embodiment of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the hinged faceplate of thetamper proof liquid dispenser of FIG. 1;

[0012]FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate various embodiments of the outletshield for the tamper proof liquid dispenser of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a side view and a cross-sectional view,respectively, of a portion of the tamper proof hinge for the tamperproof liquid dispenser of FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the tamper proof liquiddispenser of FIG. 1 mounted on a wall to limit the height of a containerthat may be placed underneath for filling according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0015]FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate front and side views of a tamper proofliquid dispenser for use with a triple sink according to an embodimentof the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 9 illustrates a rear view of the hinged faceplate and thecabinet enclosure of a tamper proof liquid dispenser according to anembodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded view of a check valve coupler foruse with the tamper proof liquid dispenser of FIG. 9;

[0018]FIG. 11 illustrates dispensing a mixture of a liquid chemicalproduct into a dispensing container from a tamper proof liquid dispenseraccording to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0019]FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the hinged faceplate of thetamper proof liquid dispenser of FIG. 9.

[0020] Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity andclarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, thedimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help to improve understanding of thefollowing description of the illustrated embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0021]FIG. 1 illustrates a tamper proof liquid dispenser 100 accordingto an embodiment of the present invention for use with soap and othercleaning products including chemical liquids. Shown in FIG. 1 are acabinet enclosure 102, a product container 104, a liquid chemicalproduct 106, a hinged faceplate 108, a tamper proof hinge 110, afaceplate clasp 112, a mixing unit 114, pushbuttons 116, 118, 120, and122, a dispensing container 124, filling nozzles 126, 128, 130, and 132,output lines 134, supply lines 136 and 138, a liquid solvent 140, afeedthrough 142, filling recesses 144 and 146, an outlet shield 148,locking plates 150, 152, 154, and 156, a strain relief 158, and wallmounting brackets 144.

[0022] The cabinet enclosure 102 is used to store one or more productcontainers 104, each containing a liquid chemical product 106, such as acleaning product concentrate; and to protect the liquid chemical product106 in environments where the liquid chemical product 106 may be subjectto unauthorized access, abuse, and vandalism. The hinged faceplate 108covers the open front of the cabinet enclosure 102. The hinged faceplate108 is preferably secured to the cabinet enclosure 102 by the tamperproof hinge 110 on one side and by the faceplate clasp 112 on theopposite side. The faceplate clasp 112 is secured to the inside ofcabinet enclosure 102 and protrudes through a slot in the hingedfaceplate 108 to prevent opening the enclosure cabinet 102 by meansother than by unlocking a padlock (not shown) or other suitable lockfrom the faceplate clasp 112. The hinged faceplate 108 swings on thetamper proof hinge 110 away from the front of the cabinet enclosure 102to allow access to one or more of the product containers 104 and othercomponents inside the cabinet enclosure 102. Other well known lockingarrangements may be used in alternative embodiments of the presentinvention to secure the hinged faceplate 108 to the cabinet enclosure102 to prevent unauthorized access inside the cabinet enclosure 102.

[0023] The mixing unit 114 is mounted on the inside of the hingedfaceplate 108 so that the pushbuttons 116, 118, 120, and 122 areaccessible from the outside of the hinged faceplate 108 through holesformed in the faceplate 108 around each of the pushbuttons 116, 118,120, and 122. The pushbuttons 116, 118, 120, and 122 may be recessedinto the faceplate and shielded by cylindrical walls welded or otherwisefastened to the faceplate and/or the mixing unit 114 to enclose each ofthe pushbuttons 116, 118, 120, and 122 for further protection againsttampering. The pushbuttons 116, 118, 120, and 122 each activate a valve(not shown) inside the mixing unit 114 to dispense a separate mixture ofthe selected liquid chemical product 106 and the solvent 140 into thedispensing container 124 placed under one of the filling nozzles 126,128, 130, and 132. By way of example, a separate mixture of one of fourseparate liquid chemical products 106 from each of four productcontainers 104 may be selected in response to depressing a correspondingone of the pushbuttons 116, 118, 120, and 122. The mixture of theselected liquid chemical product 106 is dispensed from the mixing unit114 through the output line 134 connected to the corresponding one ofthe filling nozzles 126, 128, 130, and 132. In this manner each of thepushbuttons 116, 118, 120, and 122 can select a different mixture of aliquid chemical product from the same product container 104 or adifferent liquid chemical product from a separate product container 104.The product containers 104 may be, for example, bottles made of glass,metal, or plastic. In various embodiments, the product containers 104may be plastic kegs having security plugs to prevent spills. The productcontainers 104 may also be inexpensive, disposable bladders made of aleakproof, flexible material and packaged in cardboard boxes. Theflexible bladder collapses as the liquid chemical product 106 is drawninto the mixing unit 114 so that little or no air is allowed to enterthe supply lines 136 or the flexible bladder.

[0024] Other embodiments of the present invention may be practicedhaving a different number of pushbuttons and filling nozzles to suitspecific applications. In the illustrated example, the left twopushbuttons 116 and 118 are preferably used with the left fillingnozzles 126 and 128, while the right two pushbuttons 120 and 122 areused with the right filling nozzles 130 and 132 to simplify associatingthe pushbuttons 116, 118, 120, and 122 with the corresponding one of thefilling nozzles 126, 128, 130, and 132. Other arrangements forassociating the pushbuttons 116, 118, 120, and 122 with the fillingnozzles 126, 128, 130, and 132 may be made simply by changing the outputlines 134 that connect the mixing unit 114 to the filling nozzles 126,128, 130, and 132.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, separate locking plates 150, 152,154, and 156 are fastened to the faceplate 108 on hinges that allow anyone of the separate locking plates 150, 152, 154, and 156 to swing overa corresponding upper or lower clasp independently from the otherlocking plates. Each of the locking plates 150, 152, 154, and 156 has aslot that fits over the upper clasp in the closed position and over thelower clasp in the open position. The clasps are secured to thefaceplate 108 by well known techniques, for example, by welding. Thelocking plates 150, 152, 154, and 156 restrict access to each of therecessed pushbuttons 116, 118, 120, and 122 individually by covering oruncovering a corresponding hole in the faceplate 108. In this example,the locking plates 152, 154, and 156 are shown in the open position overthe lower clasps to allow access to the pushbuttons 118, 120, and 122.The locking plate 150 is shown in the closed position over the upperclasp to cover the hole over the pushbutton 116. In this way, each ofthe locking plates 150, 152, 154, and 156 restricts access to acorresponding one of the recessed pushbuttons 116, 118, 120, and 122 sothat any combination of pushbuttons may be accessed by keys for thecorresponding locks (not shown) used to secure the locking plates 150,152, 154, and 156 to the upper and lower clasps. For example, asupervisor may have keys to locks for all of the locking plates 150,152, 154, and 156, while each custodian may have a key to only one lockfor dispensing only the specific cleaning product needed to perform hisassigned duties. In other applications, one custodian may have keys toaccess two pushbuttons, another custodian may have keys to access threepushbuttons, and so on. Alternatively, identical keying arrangements maybe used for various combinations of locks, so that one key opens onecombination of locks, while another key opens another combination oflocks. Each combination of locks may also include one or more locksbelonging to one or more of the other combinations.

[0026] The chemical supply line 136 conducts one of the liquid chemicalproducts 106 from the product container 104 to the mixing unit 114. Theliquid chemical product 106 may be, for example, a cleaning productconcentrate supplied from one or more of the product containers 104stored in the cabinet enclosure 102. The solvent supply line 138conducts the solvent 140, such as water supplied under municipalpressure, through the feedthrough 142. Only one chemical supply line 136and one product container 104 are shown in the example of FIG. 1 to moreclearly illustrate the relationships among the interior components ofthe cabinet enclosure 102. In practice, each of the valves in the mixingunit 114 would generally be connected by a chemical supply line 136 to aproduct container 104 inside the cabinet enclosure 102.

[0027] A flow tip may be inserted in the chemical supply line 136between the mixing unit 114 and the product container 104 forcontrolling the flow rate of the liquid chemical product 106 through thechemical supply line 136. Different flow tips having different insidediameters may be used to select a desired solution strength. The flowtip may be inserted into the mixing unit 114 at one end and into thechemical supply line 136 at the other end, or the flow tip may beinserted into the chemical supply line 136 at one end and into a cap inthe top of the product container 104 at the other end. In a preferredembodiment, the chemical supply line 136 is cut between the mixing unit114 and the product container 104 and a double end barb coupler isinserted into the upper section of the chemical supply line 136. Thedouble end barb is preferably secured to the upper section of thechemical supply line 136 by a hose clamp, for example, a nylon tie, toprevent the double end barb from being pulled out of the upper sectionof the chemical supply line 136. The flow tip is inserted into the lowerend of the double end barb coupler, and the lower section of thechemical supply line 136 is inserted over the lower end of the doubleend barb coupler. The flow tip may then be easily removed for cleaningor replacement by pulling the lower section of the chemical supply line136 off the lower end of the double end barb coupler, removing the flowtip from the lower end of the double end barb coupler, inserting thereplacement flow tip, and inserting the lower section of the chemicalsupply line 136 over the lower end of the double end barb coupler.

[0028] The filling nozzles 126 and 132 protrude into the fillingrecesses 144 and 146. The filling recesses 144 and 146 are formed in thehinged faceplate 108 to limit at least one dimension, typically thewidth, of the dispensing container 124 that may be placed underneath thefilling nozzles 126 and 132. The dispensing container 124 may be, forexample, a spray bottle. In other embodiments, the filling recesses 144and 146 may limit both the height and the width of the dispensingcontainer 124, that is, the entire dispensing container 124 fits insidea filling recess. The shape of the filling recesses 142 and 144 may alsobe customized to accommodate only a specific dispensing container 124.This feature reduces the risk of accidentally dispensing the liquidchemical products 106 into improper containers.

[0029] The filling nozzles 128 and 130 are located at the bottom of thehinged faceplate 104 for dispensing one of two liquid chemical products106 into a container placed beneath the cabinet enclosure 102.Alternatively, a Y-connector may be used in the output lines 134 todispense more than one mixture of one or more liquid chemical products106 from a single filling nozzle. Y-connectors may also be used toconnect supply lines from multiple product containers 104 to a singlevalve in the mixing unit 114 for dispensing a mixture of multiple liquidchemical products 106. The filling nozzles 128 and 130 are protectedfrom accidental damage or abuse by the outlet shield 148, which may be,for example, a curved triangular plate or conic section welded to thehinged faceplate 108 over the filling nozzles 128 and 130. The fillingnozzles 126, 128, 130, and 132 are preferably rigid metal tubes weldedto the hinged faceplate 108 to protect the output lines 134 and otherinterior components from abuse.

[0030] The mixing unit 114 mixes the liquid solvent 140 with one of theliquid chemical products 106 from the product container 104 in aselected proportion. When one of the pushbuttons 116, 118, 120, and 122is depressed, the liquid chemical product 106 is drawn through thesupply line 136 to the mixing unit 114. Inside the mixing unit 114, theliquid chemical product 106 is mixed with a selected proportion of theliquid solvent 140. The pressure applied to the liquid solvent 140, forexample, municipal water pressure, forces a mixing of the liquidchemical product 106 at the prescribed ratio by the Venturi effect,which draws the liquid chemical product 106 from the product container104 through the supply line 136 to the mixing unit 114. The mixture ofthe liquid chemical product 106 is then dispensed from the correspondingone of the filling nozzles 126, 128, 130, and 132 until the pushbuttonis released. The term “pushbutton” as used herein includes pushbuttoncontrols as well as any other type of manual control suitable foractivating the valves in the mixing unit 114 and includes, but is notlimited to, levers, switches, and knobs.

[0031] The supply lines 136 and 138 are passed through holes in thestrain relief 158, for example, in a serpentine fashion as shown torelieve strain between the supply lines 136 and 138 and the mixing unit114 that may occur during replacement of the product container 104.

[0032] Inside the mixing unit 114, the liquid solvent 150 is routed tovalves that are actuated respectively by the pushbuttons 116, 118, 120,and 122. For example, upon actuation of one of the pushbuttons 116, 118,120, and 122, water under pressure supplied by the supply line 138 isallowed to flow into a mixing chamber inside the mixing unit 114. Theliquid chemical product 106 is drawn from the product container 104through the supply line 138 by the Venturi effect and is mixed with thewater flowing into the mixing chamber. Y-connectors may be used in thesupply line 138 to distribute a liquid chemical product to multiplemixing chambers, and check valves may be inserted at appropriate pointsin the supply line 138 to prevent introducing air and other liquidchemical products into the product containers 104 across theY-connectors. Each of the multiple mixing chambers may mix the liquidchemical product at a different (or the same) concentration (ratio) withthe solvent, e.g., with water.

[0033] After mixing, the mixed water and liquid chemical product 106pass out of the mixing unit 114 through the output lines 134 to thecorresponding one of the filling nozzles 126, 128, 130, and 132. Thefilling nozzles 126, 128, 130, and 132 are preferably rigid metal tubeswelded to the hinged faceplate 108 to prevent access to the output lines134 from outside the tamper proof liquid dispenser 100. This featureprevents, for example, an inmate or vandal from pulling on one of theoutput lines 134 that may result in damage to the output lines 134 or tothe mixing unit 114.

[0034]FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the hinged faceplate 108 of thetamper proof liquid dispenser 100 of FIG. 1. The mixing unit 114 isconveniently mounted on the inside of the hinged faceplate 108 byflanges as shown or on a bracket so that it swings out of the way withthe hinged faceplate 108 during replacement of the product containers104 inside the cabinet enclosure 102. The locking plate 156 is shown inthe open position over the lower clasp to allow access to the recessedpushbutton 122 through the hole in the faceplate 108. The faceplate 108preferably has double walls to add thickness and strength, and the holethrough the faceplate 108 for accessing the recessed pushbutton 122 maybe lined with a cylinder around the pushbutton 122. The cylinder may beheld in place, for example, by welding the outside wall of the cylinderto the faceplate 108.

[0035] The filling nozzle 132 protrudes through the faceplate 108 intothe filling recess 146. The filling recess 146 has a width that limitsthe width of a container that may be placed inside the filling recess146 so that the top of the container fits under the filling nozzle 132.The filling nozzle 130 protrudes through the lower portion of thefaceplate 108 for dispensing a mixture of the liquid chemical product106 into a mop bucket or other suitable container placed underneath thetamper proof liquid dispenser 100.

[0036]FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate additional embodiments of theoutlet shield for the tamper proof liquid dispenser of FIG. 1. Theoutlet shield is used to protect the filling nozzles from abuse and toprevent misdirecting the flow of the mixture of the liquid chemicalproduct by bending the filling nozzle upward or to the side. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A, the outlet shield has a pyramidalshape suitable for covering a single filling nozzle. In the embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the outlet shield has a trapezoidalshape suitable for covering single or multiple filling nozzles. Threetechniques that may be used to fasten the outlet shield are illustrated.

[0037] In FIG. 3A, part or all of the upper two edges of the outletshield facing the faceplate 108 are welded to the faceplate 108. Thelower two edges form the opening through which the outlet is accessible.

[0038] In FIG. 3B, the outlet shield has tabs protruding from the edgefacing the faceplate 108 that fit into corresponding slots formed in thefaceplate 108. The tabs may be welded to the faceplate 108 from thefront and/or, preferably, the back of the faceplate 108.

[0039] In FIG. 3C, the outlet shield has round posts protruding from theedge facing the faceplate 108 that fit into corresponding holes formedin the faceplate 108. The posts may be welded to the faceplate 108 fromthe front and/or, preferably, the back of the faceplate 108.

[0040]FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a side view and a top cross-sectionalview, respectively, of a portion of the tamper proof hinge 110 for thetamper proof liquid dispenser 100 of FIG. 1.

[0041]FIG. 4 illustrates a side view 400 of a portion of the tamperproof hinge 110. The hinge pin 402 is preferably crimped and/or weldedat the top and bottom of the tamper proof hinge 110 to prevent removalof the hinge pin 402. The crimping is done on alternate hinge segments404 of the hinge. The hinge pin 402 may also be cut into short segmentseach having a length of, for example, from one to four inches to deterremoval of the hinge pin 402 for use as a weapon.

[0042]FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of thetamper proof hinge 110. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, thehinge pin 402 is recessed between the enclosure cabinet 102 and thefaceplate 108 so that if the top of the cabinet enclosure 102 is made tooverhang the faceplate 108, then the hinge pin 402 cannot clear the topof the cabinet enclosure 102, even if the welds and/or crimps in thehinge segments 404 are loosened.

[0043] The tamper proof hinge 110 is fastened to the cabinet enclosure102 and the faceplate 108 by prison screws 502 and 504 or otherfasteners that are difficult to remove. The threaded ends of the prisonscrews 502 and 504 are fastened to the back of the cabinet enclosure 102and the faceplate 108 by threaded plates 506 and lock nuts 508. Even ifthe lock nuts 508 are removed, the threaded plate 506 holds the prisonscrews 502 and 504 in place, further deterring removal of the tamperproof hinge 110. The threaded plate 506 preferably has a lengthsubstantially the same as the length of the hinge.

[0044]FIG. 6 illustrates the tamper proof liquid dispenser 100 of FIG. 1mounted on a wall 604 to limit the height of the container 606 that maybe placed underneath the cabinet enclosure 102 for receiving the liquidchemical product 106 dispensed from the mixing unit 114.

[0045] In this example, the container 606 is a mop bucket. In additionto a mop bucket, other containers may be used, for example, anauto-scrubber or a vat. Advantageously, the tamper proof liquiddispenser 100 may be mounted on a wall or other suitable surface by thewall mounting brackets 144 in a permanent or semi-permanent fashion at aheight 602 barely sufficient to allow clearance for the placement of thecontainer 606 beneath the cabinet enclosure 102. The clearance may beany distance in the range from 2 to 15 centimeters suitable forpreventing taller and larger receptacles that are not meant to be filledfrom the tamper proof liquid dispenser 100. For example, the clearancemay be one to two centimeters between the top of the container 606 andthe bottom of the cabinet enclosure 102, thus allowing the container 606to be rolled beneath the tamper proof liquid dispenser 100 to receive alimited amount of the liquid chemical product 106 from either of thefilling nozzles 128 and 130 while preventing a taller and largercontainer from being placed beneath the tamper proof liquid dispenser100. The low clearance feature prevents, for example, an inmate fromdispensing an excessive amount of cleaning product by filling up alarger receptacle than required for the job, such as a large garbagecan. Advantageously, this feature reduces the amount of wasted fluid andthus decreases the cost of cleaning.

[0046]FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate front and side views, respectively, of atamper proof liquid dispenser according to an embodiment of the presentinvention for use with a triple sink 412. In FIG. 7, the cabinetenclosure 102 is mounted on a wall 710 by the wall mounting brackets 144above the triple sink 712. Levers 702 and 704 are used to activatevalves for mixing (such as venturi mixing) the liquid chemical productsfrom the product containers 104 and a solvent, for example, water and todispense the mixture through the filling nozzles 714 and 716 located oneach side of the cabinet enclosure 102 above the first and third basins720 and 722 of the triple sink 712. As an alternative to the levers 702and 704, rotary valves may be used to mix and dispense the liquidchemical products from the product containers 104. The filling nozzles714 and 716 may be, for example, rigid steel tubes welded to the hingedfaceplate 108. The filling nozzles 714 and 716 are aimed respectivelyinto the first and third basins 720 and 722 of the triple sink 412, forexample, by bending them to the correct aiming angle when the cabinetenclosure 102 is mounted on the wall 710 so that the stream from thefilling nozzle 714 has the proper aiming angle to fall into the firstbasin 720, typically the wash basin, and the stream from the fillingnozzle 716 has the proper aiming angle to fall into the third basin 720,typically the sterilizer basin. The outlet shields 722 may beconstructed in a similar fashion described above with respect to FIGS.3A, 3B, and 3C to protect the filling nozzles 714 and 716 and to preventaiming the stream of liquid chemical product and solvent outside a saferange of the stream aiming angles.

[0047]FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the tamper proof liquiddispenser of FIG. 7. The lever 704 on the side of the cabinet enclosure102 activates a valve connected to one of the product containers 104 todispense the mixture of the liquid chemical product 106 and the solventthrough the filling nozzle 716. The liquid solvent supply 142 is shownat the top of the cabinet enclosure 102.

[0048]FIG. 9 illustrates a rear view of the hinged faceplate and thecabinet enclosure of a tamper proof liquid dispenser according to anembodiment of the present invention. Shown in FIG. 9 are a cabinetenclosure 102, a hinged faceplate 108, a tamper proof hinge 110, amixing unit 114, filling nozzles 128 and 130, output lines 134, chemicalsupply lines 136, a solvent supply line 138, and a strain relief 158similar in structure to those described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.The mixing unit 114 is fastened to the back of the hinged faceplate 108so that the mixing unit 114, the chemical supply lines 136, and thesolvent supply line 138 move away from the interior of the cabinetenclosure 102 to provide convenient access to the product containers(not shown) and other interior components inside the cabinet enclosure102.

[0049] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the chemical supplylines 136 are strain relieved by the double end barb couplers 157located just above the strain relief 158. The double end barb couplers157 expand the ends of the lower section of each of the chemical supplylines 136 so that the upper section leading to the mixing unit 114 maynot be pulled through the strain relief 158.

[0050]FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded view of a check valve coupler forthe tamper proof liquid dispenser of FIG. 9. Shown in FIG. 10 are acheck valve 902, upper sections of a chemical supply line 136, lowersections of the chemical supply line 136, a male connector 904, a femaleconnector 906 that forms a leakproof seal when mated to the maleconnector 904, nylon ties 908, and a right angle coupler 910. The checkvalve coupler is inserted into the chemical supply lines 136 to preventbackflow of solvent and other chemical products into the productcontainers.

[0051] A flow tip may be inserted into each of the chemical supply lines136 to control the respective flow rates of the liquid chemical product106 through the chemical supply lines 136. Different flow tips havingdifferent inside diameters may be used to select a desired solutionstrength. The diameter and corresponding flow rate of each flow tip maybe indicated on the flow tip by color coding the flow tip and/or bymarking symbols on the flow tip. The flow tip may be easily removed forcleaning or replacement by opening the hinged faceplate 108 andreplacing the flow tip.

[0052] The right angle coupler 910 is located at the top of the fillingrecesses 144 and 146 in the output lines 134. The right angle coupler910 is preferably secured to the upper section of the output line 134 bya hose clamp, for example, a nylon tie 908, to prevent the right anglecoupler 910 from being pulled out of the upper section of the outputline 134.

[0053]FIG. 11 illustrates dispensing a mixture of a liquid chemicalproduct into a dispensing container 124 from a tamper proof liquiddispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention. Thefeatures illustrated in FIG. 11 are similar to those described withreference to FIG. 1, however, some features of FIG. 1 such as thelocking plates and clasps have been omitted to simplify theillustration. The dispenser container 124 is placed inside the fillingrecess 144, and the corresponding pushbutton 116 is depressed todispense the selected liquid chemical product into the dispensercontainer 124. In this example, a label 1002 is attached on or near thepushbutton 116 to indicate which liquid chemical product is dispensedfrom the corresponding filling nozzle 126. A similar or identical labelmay be attached to the dispenser container 124 to ensure that the properliquid chemical product is dispensed into the dispenser container 124.The label 1002 may also be color coded according to a correspondingcolor key used to identify each liquid chemical product.

[0054]FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the hinged faceplate of thetamper proof liquid dispenser of FIG. 9. The description of FIG. 2 alsoapplies to FIG. 12, except that in the arrangement of FIG. 12, thefilling recess 146 has a shape that accommodates the appropriatedispenser container 124, and the filling nozzle 132 is aimed directlydownward to avoid placing oversize containers underneath the tamperproof liquid dispenser and filling them from the wrong filling nozzle.

[0055] As may be appreciated from the description above, no part may beremoved from outside of the tamper proof liquid dispenser of the presentinvention without a specialized tool, such as a screwdriver for prisonscrews, which is not readily available to unauthorized personnel. Thehinged faceplate cannot be manually bent, pried, or kicked open.Chemical concentrate containers inside the cabinet enclosure areprotected from puncture, tipping, squeezing, etc. so that they may notbe vandalized. The shape of the filling recesses may be customized toallow only the appropriately shaped container to fit under the fillingnozzle. The solvent source line is strain relieved by serpentining or bya double end barb coupler so that if pulled on, the internal componentsof the tamper proof liquid dispenser are not damaged. The fillingnozzles are recessed so that they may not be tampered with from outsideand may not be bent or turned, for example, so as to spray into eyes.The chemical supply lines are secured with double end barb couplers thatdo not fit through the strain relief so that they may not be pulled offwhen replacing the product containers. The pushbuttons may be completelyenclosed by cylindrical walls to prevent tampering and may be recessedinside the cylindrical walls or may protrude from the cylindrical wallsthrough the hinged faceplate.

[0056] While the invention herein disclosed has been described by meansof specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modificationsand variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention set forth in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tamper proof apparatus for dispensing aplurality of diluted liquids comprising: a locked cabinet comprising: asupply line coupled to a solvent supply; and a plurality of containerswherein each container holds a liquid chemical; and a supply linecoupled to each container of said plurality of containers; and a mixingunit wherein said mixing unit is coupled to said solvent supply line andsaid container supply lines.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising at least one nozzle coupled to said mixing unit fordispensing a diluted liquid.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said atleast one nozzle is protected by a shield.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2wherein said at least one nozzle is located in a filling recess.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one pushbutton coupledto said mixing unit for causing said diluted liquid to be dispensed. 6.The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said at least one pushbutton isenclosed by a cylindrical wall to prevent tampering.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 5 further comprising a locking plate that may be securely fittedover said at least one pushbutton.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising at least one knob coupled to said mixing unit for causingsaid diluted liquid to be dispensed.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 furthercomprising a locking plate that may be securely fitted over said atleast one knob.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at leastone lever coupled to said mixing unit for causing said diluted liquid tobe dispensed.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a lockingplate that may be securely fitted over said at least one lever.
 12. Amethod of dispensing a diluted liquid chemical comprising the steps of:drawing a liquid solvent under pressure through a first supply line; anddrawing a liquid chemical from a container through a second supply line;and mixing selected proportions of said liquid solvent and said liquidchemical; and dispensing said diluted liquid chemical through at leastone nozzle; and securing said first supply line, said second supplyline, and said container in a locked cabinet having a hinged faceplate.13. The method of claim 12 wherein said method is actuated by pressing apushbutton.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein said pushbutton isenclosed by a cylindrical wall to prevent tampering.
 15. The method ofclaim 12 wherein said method is actuated by turning a knob.
 16. Themethod of claim 12 wherein said method is actuated by pulling a lever.17. The method of claim 12 wherein said diluted liquid is dispensedthrough at least one nozzle.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein said atleast one nozzle is protected by a shield.
 19. The method of claim 17wherein said at least one nozzle is located in a filling recess.